Independent Research. Applied Innovation. - · PDF fileINDEPENDENT RESEARCH. APPLIED INNOVATION. ... Archive Research Center, ... and technology through observing system simulation

Independent Research. Applied Innovation.ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012

Founded in 1969, USRA is an independent

research corporation with competencies that span

space, Earth, and life sciences, along with related

disciplines. These competencies are closely

aligned with the nation’s science & technology,

homeland security, and national security agencies.

As a non-profit corporation, USRA’s scientific

and technical staff collaborates with over 400

academic and professional research organizations

annually. A member consortium of 105 major

research universities oversees USRA to ensure

that it meets its public purpose as a non-profit

in a way that provides equal, unbiased access

to opportunities for all researchers. This depth

of reach into the research community provides

a unique platform for advancing science and

technology.

INDEPENDENT RESEARCH. APPLIED INNOVATION.

Fiscal year 2010 was a period of exciting accomplishments for USRA and expansion into new areas. The Stratospheric Observa-tory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), a 2.4 meter telescope carried aloft by a 747 jetliner, undertook its maiden flight as an operation-al observatory. SOFIA is a joint project of NASA and the German Aerospace Center (DLR). USRA and the German SOFIA Institute (DSI) manage SOFIA’s science and mission operations. It will soon become fully operational as NASA’s premier infrared submillimeter observatory.

During this last year, USRA had close to 1,000 research collabora-tions with universities and other organizations, and over 700 paid internships for students. Our international activities increased to nearly 300 partnerships.

USRA also achieved significant success in its development of public policy positions important to the university community. In particular, we have made great strides in our work to reverse the decline in small, university class missions that enable the partici-pation of graduate and undergraduate students.

We began two new major activities. USRA was selected by NASA to undertake a new program at the Goddard Space Flight Center for studies and investigations in the Earth sciences; and the National Science Foundation selected a team that included USRA for the future management of the National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center in Puerto Rico, also known as Arecibo Observatory. In both of these activities, USRA is engaging the university community, through joint faculty positions and increased student involvement, both graduate and undergraduate. USRA is also bringing sub-stantial HBCU participation at Goddard and the participation of universities within Puerto Rico at Arecibo Observatory.

While space and Earth science is our major focus today, USRA is adapting to the changing landscape in opportunities for scientific and technological research - even in areas that have histori-cally been performed almost entirely by the commercial sector. This year, USRA established a network of 28 university research centers to support development and deployment of the Federal Aviation Administration’s Next Generation Air Traffic Control.

Looking to the future, we see USRA and the university community being tapped in entirely new ways by the Department of Defense and other Federal agencies needing to bring innovation and new thinking to advanced technology development that can support their mission needs. USRA will continue to broaden its ability to assemble and lead multi-university teams that can focus on the specific needs of Federal agencies and develop and deliver novel, lower-cost solutions. As universities are the backbone of U.S. R&D and provide the highest potential for translational research, USRA will play a crucial role in promoting universities as vital resources to Federal agencies, especially in a time of declining Federal expenditures.

3UNIVERSITIES SPACE RESEARCH ASSOCIATION

Jan A. Van Prooyen Chair, Board of Trustees

Frederick A. Tarantino President and CEO

LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN & CEO

While space and Earth science is our major focus

today, USRA is adapting to the changing landscape in

opportunities for scientific and technological research

- even in areas that have historically been performed

almost entirely by the commercial sector.

4 ANNUAL REPORT | 2011-2012

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, or SOFIA, began competed guest investigator flights in May 2011. Four instruments (two imagers and two spectrometers) will be available for guest investigator use this year.


ASTRONOMY & ASTROPHYSICS

Infrared image of the heart of the Orion star-formation complex taken from the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) using the FOR-CAST mid-infrared camera.

Gravity and Extreme Magnetism Small Explorer (GEMS) is an upcoming NASA space-based observatory whose purpose is to help determine the geometry of black holes and neutron stars. Shown: Representation of the space-time distortions in the vicinity of a black hole.

FLIGHT HARDWARE DEVELOPMENTUSRA scientists are experts in the design, development, and deployment of flight hardware for space science missions for NASA and the Department of Defense. USRA scientists have played important roles in the development of flight instruments for orbital missions like the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope and the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory. They have also assisted in the development of advanced instrumentation, such as the X-ray polarimeter to be flown on NASA’s upcoming GEMS spacecraft, high-energy direct imaging systems for high-resolution Gamma-ray observations, and advanced navigation systems for deep-space missions. USRA scientists also have experience with orbital and suborbital observing platforms, ranging from the design and construction of advanced, lightweight foil mirrors for X-ray satel-lites, to balloon-borne observatories, to the high-altitude platforms and instruments flying aboard the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). Finally, USRA astronomers will lead a collaboration to develop next generation instrumentation for radio astronomy to be used in many of the world’s largest radio observatories.

SCIENCE SUPPORTKnown for outstanding scientific analyses, USRA scientists lend their expertise to astronomy missions that span the electromag-netic spectrum. USRA scientists serve the science community by supporting data access and analysis and have played key roles in developing science support capabilities for many important mis-sions, such as the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, the Swift mission, the Chandra X-ray observatory, Arecibo Observatory, and others.

Infrared Astronomy. Flying up to 45,000 feet, SOFIA’s suite of seven first-generation instruments will enable astronomers to look at galaxies and the Milky Way’s galactic center; the motions of stars around supermassive black holes; the Milky Way’s interstel-lar medium, organic molecules in space; how interstellar mate-rial is recycled; and details of the formation of stars and planets.

SOFIA’s 20-year operational lifetime will enable long term temporal studies and follow-up of work initiated by SOFIA itself and by other observatories.

Radio Astronomy. Because radio waves can penetrate through dust clouds, USRA radio astronomers are able to study regions that cannot be seen in visible light. USRA scientists are currently studying the amount and distribution of extragalactic neutral hy-drogen gas along with studies of compact objects and pulsars and the electromagnetic and gravitational radiation they emit.

High Energy Astrophysics. Central to modern astrophysics, high energy bands (including the extreme-UV, X-ray and gamma-ray) allow USRA scientists to study the physics of black holes, neu-tron stars, supernovae, interacting binaries, soft gamma repeaters and anomalous X-ray pulsars, transient accreting pulsars, and gamma-ray bursts, their afterglows, and host environments.

DATA MANAGEMENTData volumes in government and private archives are growing ex-ponentially as data collection techniques become more advanced. These enormous volumes of data, unimaginable only a few years ago, require sophisticated technologies for storage, verification, searching, and access. Interconnectivity between geographically separated archives, as well as cloud storage capabilities and virtual environments, are increasingly important.

USRA scientists are experts in data standards and maintenance, interconnectivity, private cloud storage, data browsing and retrieval, and other state-of-the art data management and min-ing capabilities. Additionally, USRA has significant expertise in implementation of HSPD-12-compliant Information Technology, particularly the NASA Information Technology Security Certification and Authorization processes. USRA has extensive experience in data management for NASA’s High Energy Astrophysics Science Archive Research Center, the Science Archive of the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, and, as of 2011, the National Science Foundation’s Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico.


USRA is involved in development of NASA’s C-Band, Dual Polarized, Multi-Frequency, Compact Antenna Design. The goal is to improve the Hurricane Imaging Radiometer (HIRad), and focus on developing a dual polarized four frequency antenna.


EARTH SCIENCE

USRA Earth scientists analyze large volumes of airborne ice-penetrating radar and laser data from NASA’s Operation Ice Bridge to study the physical processes that occur in the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets.

Enhanced sea-surface temperature data captured by NASA’s Short-term Prediction Research and Transition, or SPoRT, project, to be provided to weather offices to improve forecasts.

Working with its customer counterparts and academia, USRA car-ries out observational, experimental, and theoretical research in support of strategic Earth science missions.

INSTRUMENTATIONUSRA scientists have end-to-end instrument system capabilities that range from designing, manufacturing, and testing, to de-ploying systems for Earth science research. USRA scientists are developing and deploying both active (e.g., microwave, lidar) and passive (e.g., infrared, spectroradiometer) instruments to observe Earth’s physical properties and processes from ground, aircraft, and satellite-based systems. Currently USRA Earth scientists are working with NASA Goddard and industry leaders to assist in re-quirements design and development, and testing of instruments and spacecraft for major climate and Earth science missions such as the GPM Microwave Imager (GMI).

ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRYOne of the most pressing scientific concerns today is to under-stand the composition of the Earth’s atmosphere and whether human activity might alter this composition in a way that affects the habitability of the planet. USRA researchers seek to discover how climate change due to increasing greenhouse gases will impact the spatial extent and recovery of the ozone layer and the Antarctic ozone hole: how do anthropogenic activities impact atmospheric pollution on regional and global scales; what is the impact of long-range transport of pollutants on local air quality; and how will climate change impact local air quality and how will changes in atmospheric composition influence climate change.

WEATHER & SHORT-TERM CLIMATEData assimilation is a critical capability for making progress in both weather forecasting and short-term climate research, both for specifying the optimal initial state for forecasting and to establish an accurate and consistent data record for climate simulations

and diagnostic studies. USRA researchers are working hand in hand with NASA Goddard’s Global Modeling and Assimilation Office (GMAO), which is leading NASA’s efforts to develop a better and more efficient data assimilation system by moving to a 4D-Var approach and improving the GEOS-5 model. These systems look forward to the future as they can be used to develop new sensors and technology through observing system simulation experiments.

CARBON CYCLE & ECOSYSTEMSCarbon cycle and ecosystem research consists of terrestrial carbon cycle measurements and modeling, marine phytoplankton measurement and monitoring, atmospheric CO2 transport models with links to terrestrial and oceanic sources and sinks, and atmo-spheric circulation models with links to surface properties. USRA’s research seeks to focus on the major objectives related to the carbon cycle and ecosystems which include: gaining a better un-derstanding of the carbon cycle, improving remotely sensed data collection to meet critical needs, enhancing ecosystem modeling, and further developing innovative research techniques.

CLIMATE SYSTEM MODELING & ANALYSISUSRA works with world-renowned experts from government and academia in providing climate data, such as variations in sea ice, sea level, aerosols, vegetation, and ozone, among others. Climate change research includes Earth system modeling, data analysis, and data assimilation techniques.

Through the use of surface, airborne, and space-based observa-tions, USRA Earth scientists provide decision support on issues that impact the environment and public health. USRA research-ers are significant contributors to NASA’s Short-term Prediction Research and Transition (SPoRT) Center which seeks to accelerate the infusion of NASA Earth Science observations, data assimila-tion, and modeling research into National Weather Service fore-cast operations and decision-making.


USRA scientist explores Vredefort Crater outcrop in South Africa. The outcrop is an impact melt rock from the eroded floor of the largest known crater on Earth: The Vredefort impact structure in South Africa.


LUNAR & PLANETARY

USRA lunar scientist walking with the Space Exploration Rover. During this mission, observations were made to upgrade operational protocols to make future planetary surface operations more productive and safe.

Data from the Mini-RF on the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter produced this mosaic of an area near the north pole of the Moon. Small craters with a high circular polarization ratio (CPR) (yellow) inside rim but low CPR (purple/blue) outside may be filled with water ice.

USRA has maintained a strong, continuous connection to lunar and planetary science since its formation during the Apollo era.

EXPERIMENTAL PETROLOGYUnderstanding the origins of rocks and other materials of the solar systems is enabled by analog experiments, subjecting those materials to appropriate physical and chemical conditions in the laboratory. USRA lunar scientists and their colleagues at NASA Johnson Space Center maintain and use a world-class facility for experimental studies of rock materials – subjecting them to pres-sures, temperatures, and chemical conditions appropriate to the surfaces and deep interiors of planets, satellites, and asteroids.

PLANETARY OBSERVATIONSThrough ongoing investigations at the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico, USRA scientists are observing and studying echoes from asteroids between Mars and Jupiter, Jupiter’s Galilean satellites, and Saturn’s rings and satellites. Additionally, scientists are using the radar instrument for imaging and refining the orbits of Earth-approaching asteroids and comet nuclei, and for detailed geologic investigations of Mercury, Venus, Mars, and the Moon.

TOPOGRAPHY VISUALIZATIONSThe topography (or landscape) of planetary surfaces is crucial for understanding their origins and evolutions, along with the benefits and challenges they would raise in exploration. USRA lunar and planetary scientists maintain strong expertise in producing topographic data (digital elevation models) and constructing visualizations of that data (static and dynamic ‘fly-overs’) focused on specific needs for research and exploration.

FINITE-ELEMENT MODELINGPhysical processes in the Earth and other planetary bodies are commonly impossible to measure directly and require high-end

computer modeling constrained by observations. USRA maintains the machine capability and expertise for such modeling (finite-element) of processes in the interiors of planets, satellites, and asteroids. Additionally, USRA scientists have significant capabili-ties in interpretation of Mars mission data and modeling of Mars surface and interior processes.

LUNAR GEOLOGYThe Moon, being the planetary body nearest the Earth, is a natural target for scientific exploration. USRA lunar scientists maintain a diverse expertise in lunar geology, including specific expertise in lunar history, impact cratering, remote sensing and volatiles, and resources. Such expertise has been frequently tasked with providing input into NASA planning activities for future robotic and human exploration.

MEETINGS & CONFERENCESConferences and workshops provide the opportunity for scientists from around the world to interact, present their work, seek new collaborations, and find students and postdoctoral fellows to aid in their research activities. USRA’s Lunar and Planetary Institute serves NASA and the international science community by providing scientific leadership and logistical support for meetings of all sizes, including the annual Lunar and Planetary Science Confer-ence, the largest and most prestigious planetary science meeting on the planet.

RESOURCESSince the Apollo era, USRA’s Lunar and Planetary Institute has provided access to the unique samples and facilities at NASA Johnson Space Center, and has acted as a repository for images and documents from throughout the history of the space program. As information technology has evolved, many of these hard copy resources have been migrated to the extensive web collections of the Institute.


Aquanaut performing lander ladder evaluations during the NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations (NEEMO) undersea analog mission.


LIFE SCIENCE

Crews will be tested in a simulated Mars outpost using an electric rover after they return from the ISS to help understand how a long transit flight in microgravity affects their performance of operation-al activities.

Scientists have developed telemedicine approaches to help astronauts a long way away with sickness, fractures, and even surgery. One of the experiments (left) involved successfully sending medical data from Mt. Everest to Canada.

PHYSIOLOGY & FLIGHT ANALOGSLife in space presents astronauts with deconditioning effects caused by the absence of Earth’s gravity, such as loss of bone density; reduced circulating blood volume; decreased muscle strength, endurance, vision impairment, and sensory-motor func-tion (i.e. balance); and reductions in aerobic capacity. Through the use of ground-based analogs, USRA scientists are able to test countermeasures, such as nutrition, pharmacotherapeutics, and exercise, in an efficient and cost-effective manner prior to using techniques in space.

NEUROPHYSIOLOGYAdaptive changes in the central nervous system during spaceflight are reflected by the oculomotor and perceptual disturbances experienced in-flight, as well as by perceptual and motor coordi-nation problems experienced post-flight. Research is focused on developing field tests of sensorimotor function and rehabilitative countermeasures that can be self-administered during explora-tion missions. This technology development is also funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and DoD for assessment of bal-ance disorders in other clinical and military populations, e.g., from mild traumatic brain injury.

SPACE RADIATIONOutside of the Earth’s protective atmosphere, astronauts may be exposed to high energy charged particles of galactic cosmic rays and solar particle events (SPE), as well as secondary protons and neutrons. Current research focuses on the increased risk of cancers; changes in motor function and behavior or neurological disorders; other degenerative tissue defects, such as cataracts, circulatory diseases, and digestive diseases; and acute radiation risks, such as prodromal risks, significant skin injury, or death from a major solar event or combination solar/galactic cosmic ray event that jeopardizes crew and mission survival.

DISEASE MODELING & TISSUE ANALOGSThe Disease Modeling and Tissue Analogues Laboratory generates and maintains cell-based three-dimensional tissue analog models utilizing normal human cells. These models are then utilized in the Bioastronautics countermeasure development and validation for human space exploration. Research projects have included the analysis of the pathogenesis of varicella-zoster and cytomegalovi-rus in models of decreased gravity.

NUTRITIONAL BIOCHEMISTRYFaced with evidence of vitamin deficiencies dating back to the days of Columbus’ expedition, USRA scientists are working to determine nutrition requirements to maintain astronaut health for extended-duration spaceflight and are developing nutritional coun-termeasures to prevent or minimize the negative effects of long-duration spaceflight on the human body. Collaborative projects include two ongoing flight research studies and several ground-based projects with universities across the U.S. and around the world. These NIH-funded projects include how nutritional status is related to elderly self-neglect and Antarctic studies of vitamin D.

PHARMACOLOGYAstronauts are not immune to common ailments, such as motion sickness, headache, sleep disturbances, backache, and nasal congestion during spaceflight. USRA scientists in pharmacology are conducting research to improve crew health and well-being by identifying safe and effective pharmaceutical preparations, thera-peutic procedures, and countermeasure strategies. Current efforts include testing of new medication combinations to treat motion sickness and investigation of radiation effects on the enzymes that metabolize administered drugs.


USRA scientists use facilities like the 5-second drop tower at the Zero Gravity Facility located at Glenn Research Center to conduct microgravity experiments prior to implementation aboard the Interna-tional Space Station.


ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

Visualization of orbital debris within 2,000 km of the Earth’s surface. USRA scientists have collaboratively developed an al-gorithm that improves the accu-racy in predicting debris-debris and debris-satellite collisions.

Artist’s concept of the Mars Hopper. USRA scientists have designed a Mars Hopper, an instrumented platform that can acquire detailed data at hundreds of locations during its lifetime.

MICROGRAVITYKnown for their expertise in fluid mechanics, cryogenic fluid management, combustion, spacecraft fire safety, phase change processes, capillary flows and phenomena, heat transfer, and ther-modynamics, USRA physicists and engineers apply this knowledge to the microgravity environment. While this research is central to spaceflight, USRA scientists use these microgravity experiments as a testbed to improve materials and processes back on Earth.

ENERGY STORAGE & NUCLEAR PROPULSIONBeyond low earth orbit, spaceflight exploration and future plan-etary bases will require the need for safe, reliable energy stor-age and propulsion systems. USRA physicists and engineers are exploring nuclear technologies, such as fast nuclear reactors and radioisotopes coupled to thermal capacitors, as methods to pro-duce rocket thrust and store electrical power. These innovations offer significant benefits not only to spacecraft and rovers, but also to tools, computers, and anything requiring power and energy storage.

MATERIALS SCIENCESpace exploration requires both the development of new ad-vanced technologies for power and propulsion generation, and the fabrication of materials that can withstand extreme operating tem-peratures while adhering to strict weight limitations. From nano-sensors to radioisotope materials, USRA scientists and engineers are leveraging their collective chemistry and physics expertise to address the challenges of long-duration air and space travel.

DATA ANALYSIS & THEORETICAL MODELINGUSRA scientists offer advanced statistical methodologies, nu-merical modeling techniques, and computational data analysis, facilitating exploration and innovation across a range of scientific disciplines.

Using state-of-the-art software and modeling techniques, USRA scientists can model the overall performance of space power systems and nuclear reactors. Through multi-physics thermody-namic modeling, heat transfer, mechanical stress, expansion, and fluid dynamics can be studied simultaneously. USRA scientists also provide the same level of expertise when applying theoretical and numerical modeling to fire safety phenomena, such as flame spread, flammability boundaries of materials, and extinguishment effectiveness.

ENGINEERING & ADVANCED COMPUTING USRA scientists bring the history of their award-winning accom-plishments in areas such as artificial intelligence and software engineering into a new era of technological efficiency. USRA scien-tists have a worldwide reputation in advanced techniques for high-end cloud computing infrastructure, with extensive capability in use of cloud computing in the domain of scientific and engineering applications. Current work in this area is in support of the federal government’s shift to a “Cloud First” information technology policy aimed at reducing costs and improving performance.

AUTONOMY & DECISION SUPPORTUSRA scientists are leading the way in the development of advanced automation capabilities. Research efforts in this area seek to develop computer software and algorithms to enable progressively more independent decision-making to be made by spacecraft and robots, instead of always relying on human ground controllers for guidance. Over time, this will lead to robots, spacecraft, and remote crews that can accomplish more with less communication with ground control, reducing mission costs and increasing scientific return.


NASA Ames’ Virtual Airport Tower provides the platform to conduct in-depth human factors studies with quantifiable results using actual air traffic controllers, airline dispatch-ers and airport managers.


HOMELAND & NATIONAL SECURITY

USRA and San Diego State Univer-sity are currently researching the use of stereoscopic imagery for more effective airport planning. Shown: Satellite image of the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.

FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION NEXTGENUSRA provides research, laboratory, and test facility access to support the NextGen Implementation for making air transportation safer and more reliable, improving the capacity of the National Airspace (NAS) and reducing aviation’s impact on the environ-ment. Because of the need to expand satellite-based surveillance, improve airport runway access, increase safety and efficiency on the ground, and enhance airspace safety and operations for the United States NAS, USRA is teamed on two contracts to provide scientific and technical support, as well as university and other agency facilities to support more efficient and effective air traffic operations for the future.

HIGH ALTITUDE PLATFORMSA special area of expertise within USRA that is applicable to both the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Defense (DoD) is high altitude platform instrumentation. These platforms include both balloon borne and aircraft based observing capabilities, looking into space and at the Earth. For example, through the design, development, and management of the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), USRA has demonstrated extensive capability in aircraft based sensor development, deployment and operation. Among these are significant accomplishments in infrared, visible and radio fre-quency spectrums. Potential customers for this expertise include the Naval Research Laboratory, DHS and DoD border monitoring organizations, the Air Force Research Laboratory and Space and Missile Defense Command.

RADIATION DETECTION & MEASUREMENTUSRA scientists bring astronomical detection techniques down to earth in service of public safety. By serving as technical advisors to the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) in the Depart-ment of Homeland Security (DHS), and by supporting DNDO in

enacting Advanced Technology Demonstration (ATD) programs, USRA scientists have developed test plans and execution sce-narios and provided technical advice during test execution. USRA scientists also serve as technical leads for Intelligent Personal Radiation Locator (IPRL) and the Stand-Off Radiation Detection System (SORDS) ATD programs.

SOFTWARE INDEPENDENT VERIFICATION & VALIDATION (IV&V)Software is an increasingly critical component in aerospace systems, and automated software testing technologies that use formal methods are emerging as a new approach for verifying and validating software for high levels of reliability, safety, and security. This capability can advance the development, procurement, and acquisition cycle of FAA, DoD, and DHS technologies that require software IV&V. This provides significant benefit to the government and industry in efficiency effectiveness, and cost savings. USRA scientists have a worldwide reputation in the advanced techniques for software verification and validation, including the use of formal methods with support for traditional and non-traditional software (e.g., neural network flight control software).

SCIENCE & TECHNICAL SUPPORTUSRA’s in-house multidisciplinary scientific and technical expertise, augmented by USRA’s unprecedented reach-back into both university and research and development communities, serves as a conduit for merging research with real-world applica-tions. This synergy allows for rapid identification and response to customer requirements, which is important for advancing the development and implementation of FAA and DoD technologies. USRA is currently supporting task orders in the areas of modeling and simulations, human factors, space weather impacts, software verification, validation and reliance, and unmanned air system (UAS) operations.

Instrumentation onboard high-altitude balloons enable USRA scientists to measure particles and photons from astrophysical sources. Shown: The CREAM (Cosmic Ray Energetics and Mass) instrument preparing to be launched from Antarctica.

University of Texas Medical BranchNIH studies using transgenic mice models

▪ Massachusetts Institute of Technology

▪ Draper Laboratory BostonNSBRI study on lunar landings

▪ University of Maryland - Baltimore County

▪ Penn State University ▪ University of Texas -

AustinGRB 090417B and its Host Galaxy: A Step Toward an Understanding of Optically Dark Gamma-ray Bursts

US Army Aeromedical Research LaboratoryDoD study on TBI neurological assessment

Johns Hopkins UniversitySolar storm observed from the Sun to Venus using STEREO, Venus Express, and MESSENGER spacecraft

Mt. Sinai Medical SchoolNASA study on manual control

Colby CollegeNIH studies using transgenic mice models

Yale UniversityPetrophysics and Paleomagnetism of Kara Impact Structure

▪ University of Maryland ▪ Harvard UniversityIntegral Gamma-ray Observations of Accreting Pulsars in the Small Magelanic Clouds

▪ Stanford UniversitySmall Satellite rapid prototyping, Space Traffic Management ▪ Santa Clara UniversitySmall Satellite rapid prototyping ▪ University of California -

Santa CruzSpace Traffic Management/Debris

Battelle Memorial InstituteAir Quality Application

University of MontrealAnalysis of x-ray and optical studies of the colliding wind binary WR 140 during its periastron passage in 2008/2009

IAG University de São PauloAnalysis of X-ray and optical studies of the colliding wind binary Eta Car during its periastron passage in 2008/2009

▪ Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro

▪ Universidade Estadual de Campinas

Distributing SOFIA mission and E&PO brochures plus IR astronomy and Electromagnetic radiation educational materials to various events

Universidad Nacional AutónomaCo-investigator on the Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer Mission on Opportunity proposal

Argentine Institute for RadioastronomyAstronomy Signal Processing and SETI - related to NSF Grant for “Low Cost, Rapid Development Instrumentation for Radio Telescopes”

CATHALACSouth-south project implementation

▪ Leeds University ▪ Royal Observatory,

EdinburghAnalysis of X-ray optical studies of the colliding wind binary WR 140 during its periastron passage in 2008/2009

▪ Surrey Satellites ▪ University of SurreyPhoneSat: Using radio, processing power, sensors and cameras in smartphones for small satellites

University of Southampton ▪ Studies of X-ray emission

from Be/X-ray Binaries in the Small Magellanic Cloud

▪ Earth Occulation Observation of Hard X-ray and Gamma-ray sources using the Gamma-ray Burst Monitor

University of LeicesterGRB Lightcurve analysis using Swift data

▪ Osservatorio Astronomica di Brera

▪ Osservatorio Astronomica di Trieste

Analysis of X-ray and optical studies of the colliding wind binary Eta Car during its periastron passage in 2008/2009

International Space University▪ ESA/NSBRI studies on

manual control▪ PhoneSat: Using radio,

processing power, sensors and camera in smartphones for small satellites

Université de CaenESA/NASA study on vestibular autonomic interaction

University of MontpellierBinary Colloidal Alloy Test - model critical fluids and surface crystals and fill in points in the phase diagram for model critical fluids and the disorder-order transition as a function of polydisper-sity and seeding

▪ Universite Paris - Sud ▪ Universite Paris - EstFOAM (Foam Optics and Mechanics) flight experiment is to study the characteristics of wet foams in the absence of gravity

Laboratoire de Planetologie de Grenoble, Universite Joseph FourierCONSERT Radar instrument onboard ESA’s 2014 ROSETTA Mission: Radar characterization of the surface and internal structure of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko

ESA - MadridAnalysis of X-ray and optical studies of the colliding wind binary WR 140 during its periastron passage in 2008/2009

Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS)African geospatial industry forum

Universidad de AlicanteIntegral Gamma-ray Observations of Accreting Pulsars in the Small Magelantic Clouds

Charite Medical SchoolESA/NASA post-flight study on otolith function

University of StuttgartGerman SOFIA Institute (DSI)

German Aerospace CenterInternational DOSIS Distribution inside the ISS Project (DOSIS-1 & DOSIS-2) to provide radiation measurements at different shielding configurations onboard the European Columbus Module on ISS (2009-2010)

Universitat MagdeburgObservation and Analysis of Smectic Islands in Space (OASIS)

Humboldt University of Berlin

Rim uplift and crater shape in Meteor Crater

University of BremenFOAM (Foam Optics and Mechanics) flight experiment is to study the characteristics of wet foams in the absence of gravity

Hokkai-GakuenAnalysis of X-ray and optical studies of the colliding wind binary Eta Car during its periastron passage in 2008/2009

ISASAnalysis of X-ray and optical studies of the colliding wind binary WR 140 during its periastron passage in 2008/2009

University of TokushimaBisphosphate as a countermeasure to space flight induced bone loss

University of TokyoA systematic study of Rare Earth Element abundances and its patterns in Eucrites

Institute for Biomedical ProblemsBalance control after space and dry immersion

Research Center of Spacecraft Radiation SafetyRadiation effects to hematopoietic systems

University of Sydney ▪ NASA Study on

manual control ▪ NIH Study on

multi-sensory interaction

National University of IrelandNASA/NIH studies on vestibular-autonomic, stochastic resonance

University of Amsterdam ▪ Binary Colloidal Alloy Test ▪ Earth Occulation Observation of Hard X-ray and Gamma-ray sources using the gamma-ray Burst MonitorUniversity of Oslo

Arctic Mars Analogue Svalbard Expedition (AMASE)

University of ViennaDOSECC Workshop on Continental Drilling Program

University of OuluGeophysical Modeling of Kara Impact Structure

Vrije Universiteit BrusselsTrace Element Geochemis-try of Impactites from the El’gygytgyn Crater, Siberia

Tata Institute of Fundamental ResearchAstronomy Signal Processing and SETI - related to NSF Grant for “Low Cost, Rapid Development Instrumenta-tion for Radio Telescopes”

IISTIndian Institute of Space Science and Technology Student Exchange Program Institute for Astronomy

Astronomy Signal Processing and SETI - related to NSF Grant for “Low Cost, Rapid Development Instrumentation for Radio Telescopes”

AGCommonsAgriculturlal geospatial platform

Meraka InstituteCSIR

Instanbul Technical UniversityEnvironmental Impact of traffic flow options

EcolageComputer programmer/tool development

Academy of SciencesAstronomy Signal Processing SETI-related to NSF Grant for “Low Cost, Rapid Development Instrumentation for Radio Telescopes”

World Health OrganizationWHO Vulnerability and Risk Analysis & Mapping platform (VRAM)


University of Texas Medical BranchNIH studies using transgenic mice models

▪ Massachusetts Institute of Technology

▪ Draper Laboratory BostonNSBRI study on lunar landings

▪ University of Maryland - Baltimore County

▪ Penn State University ▪ University of Texas -

AustinGRB 090417B and its Host Galaxy: A Step Toward an Understanding of Optically Dark Gamma-ray Bursts

US Army Aeromedical Research LaboratoryDoD study on TBI neurological assessment

Johns Hopkins UniversitySolar storm observed from the Sun to Venus using STEREO, Venus Express, and MESSENGER spacecraft

Mt. Sinai Medical SchoolNASA study on manual control

Colby CollegeNIH studies using transgenic mice models

Yale UniversityPetrophysics and Paleomagnetism of Kara Impact Structure

▪ University of Maryland ▪ Harvard UniversityIntegral Gamma-ray Observations of Accreting Pulsars in the Small Magelanic Clouds

▪ Stanford UniversitySmall Satellite rapid prototyping, Space Traffic Management ▪ Santa Clara UniversitySmall Satellite rapid prototyping ▪ University of California -

Santa CruzSpace Traffic Management/Debris

Battelle Memorial InstituteAir Quality Application

University of MontrealAnalysis of x-ray and optical studies of the colliding wind binary WR 140 during its periastron passage in 2008/2009

IAG University de São PauloAnalysis of X-ray and optical studies of the colliding wind binary Eta Car during its periastron passage in 2008/2009

▪ Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro

▪ Universidade Estadual de Campinas

Distributing SOFIA mission and E&PO brochures plus IR astronomy and Electromagnetic radiation educational materials to various events

Universidad Nacional AutónomaCo-investigator on the Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer Mission on Opportunity proposal

Argentine Institute for RadioastronomyAstronomy Signal Processing and SETI - related to NSF Grant for “Low Cost, Rapid Development Instrumentation for Radio Telescopes”

CATHALACSouth-south project implementation

▪ Leeds University ▪ Royal Observatory,

EdinburghAnalysis of X-ray optical studies of the colliding wind binary WR 140 during its periastron passage in 2008/2009

▪ Surrey Satellites ▪ University of SurreyPhoneSat: Using radio, processing power, sensors and cameras in smartphones for small satellites

University of Southampton ▪ Studies of X-ray emission

from Be/X-ray Binaries in the Small Magellanic Cloud

▪ Earth Occulation Observation of Hard X-ray and Gamma-ray sources using the Gamma-ray Burst Monitor

University of LeicesterGRB Lightcurve analysis using Swift data

▪ Osservatorio Astronomica di Brera

▪ Osservatorio Astronomica di Trieste

Analysis of X-ray and optical studies of the colliding wind binary Eta Car during its periastron passage in 2008/2009

International Space University▪ ESA/NSBRI studies on

manual control▪ PhoneSat: Using radio,

processing power, sensors and camera in smartphones for small satellites

Université de CaenESA/NASA study on vestibular autonomic interaction

University of MontpellierBinary Colloidal Alloy Test - model critical fluids and surface crystals and fill in points in the phase diagram for model critical fluids and the disorder-order transition as a function of polydisper-sity and seeding

▪ Universite Paris - Sud ▪ Universite Paris - EstFOAM (Foam Optics and Mechanics) flight experiment is to study the characteristics of wet foams in the absence of gravity

Laboratoire de Planetologie de Grenoble, Universite Joseph FourierCONSERT Radar instrument onboard ESA’s 2014 ROSETTA Mission: Radar characterization of the surface and internal structure of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko

ESA - MadridAnalysis of X-ray and optical studies of the colliding wind binary WR 140 during its periastron passage in 2008/2009

Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS)African geospatial industry forum

Universidad de AlicanteIntegral Gamma-ray Observations of Accreting Pulsars in the Small Magelantic Clouds

Charite Medical SchoolESA/NASA post-flight study on otolith function

University of StuttgartGerman SOFIA Institute (DSI)

German Aerospace CenterInternational DOSIS Distribution inside the ISS Project (DOSIS-1 & DOSIS-2) to provide radiation measurements at different shielding configurations onboard the European Columbus Module on ISS (2009-2010)

Universitat MagdeburgObservation and Analysis of Smectic Islands in Space (OASIS)

Humboldt University of Berlin

Rim uplift and crater shape in Meteor Crater

University of BremenFOAM (Foam Optics and Mechanics) flight experiment is to study the characteristics of wet foams in the absence of gravity

Hokkai-GakuenAnalysis of X-ray and optical studies of the colliding wind binary Eta Car during its periastron passage in 2008/2009

ISASAnalysis of X-ray and optical studies of the colliding wind binary WR 140 during its periastron passage in 2008/2009

University of TokushimaBisphosphate as a countermeasure to space flight induced bone loss

University of TokyoA systematic study of Rare Earth Element abundances and its patterns in Eucrites

Institute for Biomedical ProblemsBalance control after space and dry immersion

Research Center of Spacecraft Radiation SafetyRadiation effects to hematopoietic systems

University of Sydney ▪ NASA Study on

manual control ▪ NIH Study on

multi-sensory interaction

National University of IrelandNASA/NIH studies on vestibular-autonomic, stochastic resonance

University of Amsterdam ▪ Binary Colloidal Alloy Test ▪ Earth Occulation Observation of Hard X-ray and Gamma-ray sources using the gamma-ray Burst MonitorUniversity of Oslo

Arctic Mars Analogue Svalbard Expedition (AMASE)

University of ViennaDOSECC Workshop on Continental Drilling Program

University of OuluGeophysical Modeling of Kara Impact Structure

Vrije Universiteit BrusselsTrace Element Geochemis-try of Impactites from the El’gygytgyn Crater, Siberia

Tata Institute of Fundamental ResearchAstronomy Signal Processing and SETI - related to NSF Grant for “Low Cost, Rapid Development Instrumenta-tion for Radio Telescopes”

IISTIndian Institute of Space Science and Technology Student Exchange Program Institute for Astronomy

Astronomy Signal Processing and SETI - related to NSF Grant for “Low Cost, Rapid Development Instrumentation for Radio Telescopes”

AGCommonsAgriculturlal geospatial platform

Meraka InstituteCSIR

Instanbul Technical UniversityEnvironmental Impact of traffic flow options

EcolageComputer programmer/tool development

Academy of SciencesAstronomy Signal Processing SETI-related to NSF Grant for “Low Cost, Rapid Development Instrumentation for Radio Telescopes”

World Health OrganizationWHO Vulnerability and Risk Analysis & Mapping platform (VRAM)


UNIVERSITY INVOLVEMENTUSRA collaborates with researchers around the globe.

The set below is a small selection of USRA engagements illustrating the extensive internationalization of space,

and space research shaping today’s environment.


NASA Intern and USRP Alumni from Salish Kootenai College worked on further developments of the hu-manoid robot “Robonaut 2” at the Johnson Space Center just before it launched on STS 133.


UNIVERSITY INVOLVEMENT

A Career Exploration Program (CEP) student intern flies as a passenger aboard the Guppy Aircraft.

As a co-sponsor of the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, USRA brings together a broad spectrum of the lunar and planetary science community from government, academia, and private industry.

Since its inception as a non- profit entity in 1969, USRA has identified and adopted its core purpose to be an organization that involves “universities in serving the development of knowledge associated with space and its application to serve the public good”. In 2010, USRA and its Institutes engaged over 400 universi-ties and industrial research departments worldwide in over 900 research activities. It is this level of involvement, depth of reach into the academic community, and independent research advisement that USRA brings to its customers and indus-try partners.

ACCESS TO UNPARALLELED TALENTThrough its close relationship with university and research and development communities, USRA has unparalleled access to advanced scientific expertise, as well as to up-and-coming scien-tific and technical talent. Additionally, USRA is designated by the U.S. Department of State (DoS) to administer an Exchange Visitor Program to provide research and development opportunities for qualified foreign Research Scholars and Short-Term Scholars in or-der to promote the general interest of international education and culture exchange. This extensive international network of scientific expertise provides a unique advantage for USRA to rapidly identify and respond to customer requirements.

CLOSELY ALIGNED TO FUNDED RESEARCHThrough participation in partnerships developed with academia,

industry, and other entities, USRA identifies funded research opportunities and provides university faculty members access to these opportunities in order to meet the needs of NASA and other U.S. government agencies. Further, by leveraging the power of its web-based Research Opportunities Program, USRA connects one-to-one with university science and research departments to communicate research needs within the space science communi-ty. These research opportunities may be within the USRA Institute itself or may be new and emerging areas that USRA is aware of because of its close interactions with industry and federal centers.

ENHANCING THE RESEARCH TO OPERATIONS CYCLEUSRA hosts a variety of informational events that are open to all audiences. As part of its commitment to engage, excite, and edu-cate the academic community and the public at large about space science discoveries, USRA catalogues and disseminates scientific work in peer-reviewed journals and other publications, hosts na-tional and international conferences and workshops at USRA-man-aged meeting and conference facilities located at or near NASA centers, and coordinates travel support for USRA researchers.

INDEPENDENT ADVISEMENTUSRA Science Councils, which are composed of senior university researchers who are renowned experts in their fields, are involved in the latest advancements occurring on campus and provide insights that add value to the work of USRA and its customers. Members are scientists appointed to three-year terms by USRA’s Board of Trustees on the basis of their expertise and their stand-ing within the academic community. Science Councils serve as touchstones for the scientific merit of USRA’s programs and proj-ects (determining whether they are conducted with appropriate ac-ademic rigor), contribute to their respective bodies of knowledge, serve their scientific communities, and meet the needs of USRA’s government and private-sector customers. Science Councils meet once or twice each year.

MemberUniversities

Non-MemberUniversities

Other ResearchOrganizations

385

72

311

183

239

166

2010 University Research Engagement

Number of EngagementsNumber of Organizations


Undergraduate Student Research Program (USRP) intern (left), major-ing in Environmental Science at the University of Florida, at Langley Research Center.


WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

USRA was instrumental in establishing a 3-year col-laborative effort between the Dubai based Arab Youth Venture Foundation’s Inno-vative Fellowships program and NASA’s Education Associates Program (EAP).

USRA nuclear engineer and Summer Fellows in front of a Spark Plasma Sintering furnace located at the Center for Advanced Energy Studies at the Idaho National Lab.

Education programs under USRA management continue to have a measurable impact on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce development. We believe the suc-cess of these programs reflects the passion USRA employees have for their work and the leadership responsibility they feel to inspire and prepare the next generation of space scientists. In fact, many student scientists from USRA programs have gone on to assume leadership roles in research and customer organizations.

INTERNSHIPSIn 2010, USRA supported over 700 high school, undergraduate, and graduate interns at government centers. Students received intern-ships with durations ranging from several weeks to semester long experiences. Nearly every USRA Institute and Program is actively engaged in providing internships.

Hands-On Experience. USRA firmly believes that by providing challenging immersion experiences, students will be encouraged to pursue STEM-related degrees and career paths. Closely aligned with customer research areas, USRA internship disciplines run the gamut from lunar and planetary science and high energy astro-physics, to nuclear engineering and software development. Hands-on intern activities include: experimental studies, theoretical mod-eling, and data analysis; Constellation data management systems and small satellite mission design; designing, building, and testing components for Robonaut; design of a Europa Hopper; design of a very low-mass, high-power nuclear reactor for electric propulsion; and flight time aboard NASA’s Guppy and Zero-G Aircraft.

Diversity. USRA, through its member universities, reaches across diverse cultural and geographical groups to provide active support

for the recruitment of students into STEM programs. Similarly, USRA reaches deep into underserved communities. In 2010, of the 60 Houston area high school participants in the NASA Career Exploration Program (CEP), 27% of these students were first generation high school graduates, and 86% were from under-served or underrepresented groups. Additionally, USRA, through its NASA Lunar Science Institute node in Houston, manages a Texas Higher Education Consortium of 13 universities, most of which are minority serving. Through annual meetings and web-based tools, planetary science materials and curricula are made available to support new and ongoing classroom engagement of undergradu-ate students.

Growth. Through excellent management and innovative recruiting efforts, USRA-managed education programs are far from stagnant. In fact, the NASA Education Associates Program (EAP) has doubled to twice the size of the original proposal during its first two years. Additionally, during USRA’s third year of managing the Undergradu-ate Student Research Program (USRP), NASA recognized USRA with a Group Achievement Award for Management Excellence.

VISITING SCIENTISTSUSRA actively searches for professionals interested in spending time in residence at programs offering relevant research experi-ences. Scientists with established records of research productivity are generally offered positions for periods of 1-24 months. The opportunities for post-doctoral and visiting scientists allow for direct daily interaction, thereby developing the individual’s breadth of research experiences and providing USRA with insight for in-novation. Also, USRA’s locations often offer a physical proximity to customer organizations, enhancing the interactions for the sci-entists and programs served. USRA’s most active visiting scientist programs can be found in the atmospheric science and astrophys-ics at Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) and Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) and in planetary sciences at USRA’s Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI).

Undergrad: 74.8%

Grad & Post-Doc: 17.8%

High School: 7.4%

Internships by Education Level


The USRA Issues and Program Committee met with key congres-sional staff in 2010 and early 2011 to present real-life stories on how export control regulations are adversely impacting university research and education, includ-ing affecting future U.S. workforce development.


SPACE POLICY

USRA provides a voice on public policy issues that are important to the university community. In 2010, USRA achieved significant success in in two areas critical to advancing today’s space and Earth science research and building a highly skilled workforce for tomorrow.

USRA’s Issues and Program Committee (IPC), comprised of representatives drawn from USRA member universities, formulates national and international policy positions. The IPC meets with members of Congress and their staffs, provides testimony, as requested, and organizes the program for the USRA Annual Meeting of member institutions.

SMALL UNIVERSITY-CLASS MISSIONS The IPC is currently focused on reversing the decline in small, university-class missions that use suborbital rockets, balloons, and airborne platforms. IPC members visited congressional staff in March of 2010 to advocate for specific legislation implementing the recommendations of the National Research Council (NRC) study, Revitalizing NASA’s Suborbital Program: Advancing Science, Driving Innovation, and Developing Workforce. The IPC previously advocated for the NRC study, and the call for the study was included the NASA Authorization of 2008.

As a result of IPC efforts, the NASA Authorization Act of 2010 cited the general finding of the study that “suborbital science missions

were absolutely critical to building an aerospace workforce capable of meeting the needs of current and future human and robotic space exploration.” The Act directed NASA to “establish a Suborbital Research Program within the Science Mission Directorate that shall include the use of sounding rockets, aircraft, high altitude balloons, suborbital reusable launch vehicles, and commercial launch vehicles to advance science and train the next generation of scientists and engineers in systems engineering and systems integration which are vital to maintaining critical skills in the aerospace workforce.” The Act also directed NASA to designate an official “responsible for the development of short- and long term strategic plans for maintaining, renewing and extending suborbital facilities and capabilities.” The Act was signed into law by the President on October 11, 2010.

The IPC is now focusing on expanding the opportunities for university involvement in other missions, including Explorer-class missions.

EXPORT CONTROL REFORM Also of great importance, the IPC is focusing on reforming U.S. export control law to reduce its harmful impact on university space-related research and education. IPC members met with key congressional staff in 2010 and early 2011 to present real-life stories on how export control regulations are adversely impacting university research and education, including affecting future U.S. workforce development. The IPC advocated for legislation to restore to the Executive Branch the authority to remove satellites and related components from the U.S. Munitions List. This reform would allow sensible consideration of what space-related technology must be controlled, and it would restore to our universities the ability to teach students about space technology, and to conduct research in space, in a way that would enable the U.S. to remain a leader in the future.

At the request of the IPC, USRA and the George Washington Space Policy Institute jointly organized a symposium on U.S. Export Controls and Space Science in Washington in March of 2011. The symposium was held in conjunction with the annual meeting of USRA member universities. The symposium brought together presenters from the National Security Council, the university community, the Department of State, NASA, and congressional offices.

Offices within the Executive Branch and the Congress are now aware of the unintended consequences of export control law on university research and education. The IPC is focusing on coordinating with other organizations to bring about a coalition to support vitally needed legislative reform.

ISSUES AND PROGRAM COMMITTEE 2010 - 2012

Thomas Zurbuchen, University of MichiganMary Musgrave, University of Connecticut

Ed Groth, Princeton UniversityDavid Axon, Rochester Institute of Technology

Ken Gertz, University of MarylandCarolyn Morgan, Hampton University

Krishan Ahuja, Georgia Institute of TechnologyChristopher Damaren, University of Toronto

Steve Ackerman, University of WisconsinTruell Hyde, Baylor University

Dan Baker, University of ColoradoPatrick Patterson, Utah State UniversityS. Virgil Sharpton, University of Alaska


As one of 500 participating sites, USRA’s Lunar and Planetary Insti-tute hosts an annual International Observe the Moon Night event as part of its Family Space Day Program.


EDUCATION & OUTREACH

CEP college student intern (hanging upside-down) is one of the lucky few who have flown on NASA’s Zero-G Aircraft.

Young visitor sees herself through the lens of an infrared camera while visiting the SOFIA exhibit at the International Balloon Fiesta.

USRA continues to develop a global influence through scholar-ships, funding for students, and other benevolent efforts. Further-more, by recognizing that education and outreach opportunities exist not only in but beyond the classroom, USRA supports a broad range of activities targeted at a wide, diverse audience, both inside and outside of the STEM pool.

ENGAGING STUDENTSEncouraging students to get involved in science at a young age is a priority for USRA and its employees. As testament to that, each year USRA manages and sponsors a host of student competitions that span the breadth of scientific disciplines.

Recently, USRA managed DIME (Dropping in a Microgravity Envi-ronment) and WING (What If No Gravity), allowing high school and middle school student teams to design and build a science experi-ment that is then conducted in NASA Glenn’s drop tower facility. Similarly, USRA lunar scientists remotely guide teams of students across the nation who undertake authentic lunar research proj-ects. The teams compete for a trip to the NASA Lunar Science Forum at Ames Research Center, where the winning team, ac-companied by its teacher, presents its science results to the lunar science community. And finally, USRA also sponsored a “Science + Art Classroom Competition” through its popular Earth Science Picture of the Day website. The contest challenged 9th-12th grade classrooms to submit images for publication and a chance to win one of five HD video cameras.

COMMUNITY OUTREACHTraveling exhibits, bringing current science and exploration to rural and underserved communities, are making the rounds at libraries, science centers, and planetariums across the nation. The exhibits support public events at these venues, including reading pro-grams, night-sky viewing, and children’s programs.

Recently, a permanent Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) exhibit was dedicated at the Hiller Aeronautical

Museum in San Carlos, California. The SOFIA exhibit is an element of the full-scale Boeing 747 section on display at the museum. At the 2009 White House Star Party, USRA facilitated a walkable scale model of the solar system. Middle school students and their teachers from the Washington, D.C. area participated in night-sky viewing and hands-on activities on the solar system which were hosted by the President and First Lady.

Through collaborative efforts between scientists, educators, and artists, USRA produces monthly Moon-themed webcasts through its interactive MyMoon web portal. Past webcasts have featured well-known social media personalities, such as Dr. Phil Plait. The site also hosts lunar-based exhibits, blogs featuring the Moon in science, art, literature, and the news, contests, and polls.

Further leveraging web and social media outlets, USRA scientists hosted and participated in NASA Tweetups, presented informative “how-to” presentations on the topic of podcasting, and have pro-duced a wealth of resources targeted to diverse online audiences.

SUPPORTING EDUCATORSUSRA champions the support of educators as the foundation for building successful scientists and ensuring the future of research and development in the United States. Each year USRA programs prepare hundreds of teachers to engage and educate their stu-dents in science and engineering disciplines.

USRA education specialists and lunar and earth scientists, along-side their academic and industry counterparts, have a long history of developing and managing professional development workshops and forums aimed to engage educators (both academic and gov-ernment employees) throughout all stages of their careers.

Beginning in 2011, educators will take flight and partner with sci-entists to observe and participate in first-hand astronomy research aboard the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy. Using the training and flight experience gained aboard SOFIA, par-ticipants are then equipped to take their experience back to their classrooms and communities.


USRA is part of a team that brings over 100 years of combined science operations and management exper-tise to the Arecibo Observatory.

Photo courtesy of the NAIC - Arecibo Observatory, a facility of the NSF


OPERATIONS & MANAGEMENT

Integral to the success of any program are the individuals chosen to lead the way. Highly motivated and qualified managers are more often than not the reason for a program’s successful execution. To support them, USRA program and business managers are provided with the tools necessary to effectively manage day-to-day operations. USRA’s business tools enhance its managers’ ability for planning, staffing, budgeting, accounting, and reporting.

PROJECT MANAGEMENTProject Tracking and Reporting. USRA’s organizational structure and processes are optimized for providing efficient and effective management needed in research environments that must also meet operational demands and deliverables. USRA pro-vides monthly reports on financial status and scientific activities to its government customers, providing more accurate and timely data to support reviews and decision-making. USRA strives to use the most innovative tools that will enhance reporting efficiencies, in order reduce the level of effort and staff time devoted to this activity.

FINANCIAL CONTROLSUSRA has a sophisticated management information system for the administra-tion of its contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements, ensuring that financial deci-sions are based on accurate and timely data. This system clearly has demonstrated the ability to meet the govern-ment’s stringent financial reporting requirements.

Accounting. USRA uses the Costpoint© Government Contractor Software series by Deltek Systems, Inc. Costpoint is an integrated accounting system designed for government contracting, which combines project and organizational accounting features with powerful capabilities in traditional accounting modules, such as payroll, timekeeping, billing, purchasing, fixed assets, accounts payable, general ledger, and financial and contractual reporting, including monthly and quarterly financial management reports.

Time and Expense. USRA uses Deltek Electronic Timesheet and Expense™ (T&E) application. T&E enables USRA to track, manage, and account for daily time expenditures, by employee and task. T&E is used by USRA to record labor hours for each program down to specific task activities. T&E helps control costs through improved accuracy and reduced labor expenses and pro-vides labor activity and historical data.

External Audits. USRA retains the SC&H Group as its corporate auditor. Each fiscal year, USRA’s financial records are audited by SC&H for the purpose of rendering an opinion on its financial statements. Their audit also meets guidelines of OMB Circular A-133.

DCAA Approved Rates. The Defense Contractor Audit Agency (DCAA) is the Federal Agency performing incurred cost audits and audits of USRA’s indirect cost submission, forward pricing rates, and review of USRA’s A-133 audit report.

CONTRACT MANAGEMENTTask Order Management. USRA has demonstrated a strong ability to effectively manage significantly sized IDIQ Task Order contracts. USRA’s successful management of these contracts requires the coordination of multiple, disparate, and even multi-national entities and the execution of hundreds of tasks. USRA’s Task Order management spans the entire project life cycle and includes effective management of and incentives for subcontrac-tor performance.

Management of Subcontractors. USRA ensures excellent performance of its subcontractors through the management of work scope assignments, work share allocation based on success-ful performance, and application of award fees. USRA measures the performance of its subcontractors by evaluating their ability to adhere to the agreed upon schedule, contain costs, and be re-sponsive in a team environment.

University Subcontractors. USRA is skilled at working with universities as subcontractors – a task that requires a set of skills and procedures different from those used in managing industry subcontractors. USRA’s cadre of high level scientists and experienced scientific managers give USRA a distinct advantage and benefit to serv-ing its customers in this area.

PROCUREMENTUSRA has an approved purchasing system certified by the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), initially approved in May 1999. USRA also successfully completed a contractor purchasing system review (CPSR) risk assessment in July 2002. This certifica-tion was performed in accordance with the DoD CPSR guidelines.

Employee Education Level

2011 2012*projected

*

75

89

6660

Total Revenue (in millions)


The Center for Research and Exploration in Space Science and Technology10211 Wincopin Circle, Suite 500Columbia, MD 21044410-730-2656 • 410-730-3496 (fax)Michael Corcoran

Huntsville AstronomyNational Space Science and Technology Center320 Sparkman DriveHuntsville, AL 35805256-961-7656 • 256-961-7751 (fax)Mark Finger

Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared AstronomyNASA Ames Research CenterMail Stop 211-3Moffett Field, CA 94035Erick Young

ASTRONOMY & ASTROPHYSICS

ADMINISTRATIVE Headquarters10211 Wincopin Circle, Suite 500Columbia, MD 21044410-730-2656 • 410-730-3496 (fax)

6767 Old Madison Pike, Suite 450Huntsville, AL 35806 256-971-0240 • 256-971-0241 (fax)

615 National Avenue, Suite 220Mountain View, CA 94043650-966-5020 • 650-996-5021 (fax)

425 3rd Street SW, Suite 940Washington, DC 20024410-730-2656

USRA Headquarters located in Columbia, Maryland.


Education Associates ProgramNASA Ames Research CenterMail Stop 226-8Moffett Field, CA 94035Coral Clark

Education Programs Office3600 Bay Area BlvdHouston, TX 77058281-486-2180 • 281-486-2173 (fax)Barbara Hammond

Undergraduate Student Research Program3600 Bay Area BlvdHouston, TX 77058281-486-2180 • 281-486-2173 (fax)Anthony Zippay

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

LUNAR & PLANETARY

Arecibo ObservatoryArecibo, PR 00612 Zaven Arzoumanian

Lunar and Planetary Institute3600 Bay Area BlvdHouston, TX 77058281-486-2180 • 281-486-2173 (fax)Stephen Mackwell

OFFICE & RESEARCH LOCATIONS

Earth Systems Science Program National Space Science and Technology Center320 Sparkman DriveHuntsville, AL 35805256-961-7734 • 256-961-7751 (fax)Donald Perkey

Goddard Earth Sciences Technology and Research Studies and Investigations10211 Wincopin Circle, Suite 500Columbia, MD 21044410-730-2656 • 410-730-3496 (fax)William Corso

EARTH SCIENCE

ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

LIFE SCIENCE

Center for Space Nuclear ResearchPO Box 1625, MS 3855Idaho Falls, ID 83415208-526-6103 • 866-719-6704 (fax)Steven Howe

National Center for Space Exploration ResearchNASA Glenn Research CenterMail Stop 110-3Cleveland, OH 44135216-433-2796 • 216-433-3793 (fax)Stephen Simons

Research Institute for Advanced Computer Science615 National Avenue, Suite 220Mountain View, CA 94043650-966-5020 • 650-966-5021 (fax)David Bell

Division of Space Life Sciences3600 Bay Area BlvdHouston, TX 77058281-244-2000 • 281-244-2006 (fax)Neal Pellis

USRA’s Lunar and Planetary Institute, a state-of-the-art research facility, located near the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.

USRA administrative offices located near the NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View, California.


A consortium of 105 Ph.D. granting universities oversees USRA to ensure that it meets its public purpose as a non-profit. A primary role of these universities is to elect the USRA Board of Directors (Trustees). This broadly-based membership ensures accountability and oversight of USRA as it serves its tax-exempt purpose and assures equal access to USRA facilities and programs by researchers and students from all institutions, both member and nonmember.

MANAGEMENT & GOVERNANCE

MEMBER UNIVERSITIES

Alabama A&M UniversityUniversity of Alabama in HuntsvilleUniversity of Alaska FairbanksUniversity of ArizonaArizona State UniversityUniversity of ArkansasAuburn UniversityBaylor UniversityBoston CollegeBoston UniversityBrandeis UniversityUniversity of British ColumbiaBrown UniversityUniversity at Buffalo, State University of New YorkUniversity of California, BerkeleyCalifornia Institute of TechnologyUniversity of California, Los AngelesUniversity of California, San DiegoUniversity of California, Santa BarbaraCase Western Reserve UniversityUniversity of Central FloridaUniversity of ChicagoChinese University of Hong KongCollege of William and MaryUniversity of CologneUniversity of Colorado at BoulderColorado School of MinesUniversity of ConnecticutCornell UniversityUniversity of DelawareUniversity of DenverUniversity of FloridaFlorida State UniversityGeorge Mason UniversityGeorge Washington University

Georgetown UniversityGeorgia Institute of TechnologyHampton UniversityHarvard UniversityUniversity of Hawai’i at ManoaUniversity of HoustonHoward UniversityUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignIndiana UniversityUniversity of IowaIowa State UniversityJohns Hopkins UniversityUniversity of KansasLehigh UniversityUniversity of LeicesterLouisiana State UniversityUniversity of MarylandMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyUniversity of MichiganMichigan Technological UniversityUniversity of MinnesotaMississippi State UniversityUniversity of Nebraska-LincolnUniversity of New HampshireNew Jersey Institute of TechnologyUniversity of New MexicoNew Mexico State UniversityNew York UniversityNorth Carolina A&T State UniversityNorth Carolina State UniversityNorthwestern UniversityOhio UniversityOhio State UniversityUniversity of OklahomaOklahoma State UniversityOld Dominion UniversityPennsylvania State University

University of PittsburghPrinceton UniversityPurdue UniversityRensselaer Polytechnic InstituteRice UniversityUniversity of RochesterRochester Institute of TechnologyRockefeller UniversityUniversity of SheffieldUniversity of Southern CaliforniaStanford UniversityStony Brook University, State University of New YorkUniversity of StuttgartUniversity of SydneyTechnion - Israel Institute of TechnologyTel-Aviv UniversityUniversity of TennesseeTexas A&M UniversityTexas Tech UniversityUniversity of Texas ArlingtonUniversity of Texas at AustinUniversity of Texas at DallasUniversity of Texas Medical BranchUniversity of TorontoTufts UniversityUtah State UniversityVanderbilt UniversityUniversity of VirginiaVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityUniversity of WashingtonWashington University in St. LouisUniversity of Wisconsin—MadisonYale University


Jan A. Van Prooyen Los Alamos National Laboratory (ret.) Chair, Board of TrusteesJohn D. Fix University of Alabama, Huntsville Vice-Chair, Board of Trustees Chair, Compensation CommitteeJames Crocker, Lockheed Martin Corporation

Michael Drake, University of Arizona

David Frost, Frost & Associates, Inc.

Wesley Harris Massachusetts Institute of Technology Chair, Governance, Nominations, and Membership CommitteeM.K. Jeppesen Utah State University Chair, Audit & Finance CommitteeSteven Kahn Stanford University Chair, Homeland & National Security CommitteeScott Pace, George Washington University

Judith Pipher, University of Rochester

Hans-Peter Röser, University of Stuttgart

Eric J. Sheppard, Hampton University

Gary Swenson, University of Illinois

Thomas Zurbuchen University of Michigan Chair, Council of Institutions

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

MANAGEMENT Fred Tarantino Chief Executive Officer and PresidentDonald Kniffen Vice President for ScienceKarin Hilser Chief Financial OfficerAlan Marchant Chief Information OfficerKevin Schmadel Vice President, Government RelationsHussein Jirdeh Director, University RelationsVince DeFrancisci Director, Program DevelopmentPhil Macklin Director, Homeland & National Security

For more information contact:Universities Space Research Association

10211 Wincopin Circle, Suite 500Columbia, MD 21044

410-730-2656www.usra.edu [email protected]

Independent Research. Applied Innovation. - · PDF fileINDEPENDENT RESEARCH. APPLIED INNOVATION. ... Archive Research Center, ... and technology through observing system simulation

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